FAQ - Admissions & Rescue

Admissions 

Why do you charge an admission fee?
Do you put animals to sleep?
Can you guarantee my pet won’t be put to sleep?
Can I call and check on an animal that I’ve surrendered?
How many pets do you take in each year?
What types of animals do you take in?
How many pets are at your facility?
What happens to stray animals surrendered to KHS?

Rescue

How do I report animal abuse?
Do you pick up animals?
Who should I call if I see a stray animal?
Do you pick up injured animals?

Admissions

Why do you charge an admission fee?

Because the Kentucky Humane Society (KHS) is a private, non-profit organization, we rely on support from people like you. We do not receive any city, state or federal government funding. The $25-per-pet admission fee is funneled back to our mission programs, helping us combat pet overpopulation and provide food, shelter and care for thousands of homeless pets each year. 

Back to Top

Do you put animals to sleep?

Yes – unfortunately that is the harsh and unavoidable reality that comes as a result of the pet overpopulation crisis in our area. However, KHS has not euthanized any pets due to overcrowding for more than a year and is working to end the euthanasia of all healthy, temperamentally-sound pets through our aggressive adoptions, spay/neuter and education programs. 

KHS humanely euthanizes by lethal injection, most commonly for illness or temperament. All animals are treated lovingly by a trained staff member during the entire process.

We also euthanize privately owned pets who have become seriously ill or injured at the owners’ request. Prices range from $25 - $100, depending on the size of your pet, and appointments are available seven days a week. Call (502) 366-3355 for more infomation or to schedule an appointment.

Back to Top

Can you guarantee my pet won’t be put to sleep?

Though all pets that come to KHS have a good chance of being placed for adoption, the only way we can guarantee that your pet will be placed for adoption is if s/he is accepted into our Guaranteed Attempt to Place (GAP) Program. For more information on this program, click here.

Back to Top

Can I call and check on an animal that I’ve surrendered?

You may call to check on the status of an animal if they are enrolled in our GAP program. We cannot release information about animals surrendered under any other circumstances.

Back to Top

How many pets do you take in each year?

We admit approximately 8,000 dogs and cats each year.

Back to Top

What types of animals do you take in?

KHS chooses to accept all felines and canines in need, regardless of health, disposition or background. We are happy to provide resources and referrals for animals other than cats and dogs.

Back to Top

How many pets are at your facility?

Our main campus shelter has the capacity to hold approximately 300 animals.

However, we also utilize foster care volunteers, who open their homes and hearts temporarily to special needs animals for a few days, weeks or months. Foster care parents help us throughout the year by fostering kittens, puppies, nursing mother cats and dogs, animals recuperating from injuries, and adoptable pets during times of overcrowding. Click here to learn more about this volunteer opportunity.

What happens to stray animals surrendered to KHS?

As all other Jefferson County animal shelters, KHS is mandated by law to hold all stray cats and dogs for 5 days. After that timeframe, our trained staff perform health and behavior evaluations to determine if the stray pet can be placed up for adoption. At KHS, approximately 98% of strays are placed for adoption at one of our eight adoption sites.

KHS does offer a "Lost & Found" service to help reunite pets with their families. Click here to learn more.

Back to Top

Rescue

How do I report animal abuse?

Call our Rescue Department at (502) 515-3138 to report any instances of animal cruelty or neglect. However, it is important to know that KHS does not have the legal jurisdiction to handle animal cruelty/neglect investigations or ordinance enforcement within Metro Louisville. Instead, please contact the city government’s Metro Animal Services at (502) 363-6609 to report animal cruelty or neglect within Jefferson County, as they are mandated by law to handle such cases.

Back to Top

Do you pick up animals?

Yes, we can pick up owned animals in Metro Louisville, as well as in Henry, Trimble and Spencer Counties, Monday - Friday. Click here to learn more.

We also pick up stray animals in Henry, Trimble and Spencer counties. However, in Louisville, Metro Animal Services, a city government agency, is responsible for stray pick-ups. You can contact them by calling (502) 363-6609.

Back to Top

Who should I call if I see a stray animal?

In Metro Louisville, please call Metro Animal Services at (502) 363-6609. They are responsible for stray pick-ups and animal neglect investigations in the Metro Louisville area.

In Henry & Trimble counties, call the KHS Rescue Officer at (502) 845-6446.
In Spencer County, please contact the KHS Rescue Officer at (502) 477-3332.
Click here for hours of operation. 

Back to Top

Do you pick up injured animals?

Yes. In Jefferson County and Southern Indiana we respond to calls about injured animals when a rescue officer is available. If you can safely contain the animal, please do so, then call (502) 366-3355.

In Henry & Trimble counties, call the KHS Rescue Officer at (502) 845-6446.
In Spencer County, please contact the KHS Rescue Officer at (502) 477-3332.

Back to Top